GIXXSTER Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 I'm starting a club for Pitbull owners. I've got the constitution and bylaws done but I'd like some input on them. Constitution napisał(a): NorCal Pit’s: CLUB CONSTITUTION Article I Section 1 The OFFICIAL name of the club: NorCal Pit’s: APBT Pride (may be referred to as "NorCal Pit’s") Section 2 Address: Email Address: president@norcalpits.com Section 3 The purpose of NorCal Pit’s is to help its members to achieve the highest standard of obedience training. NorCal Pit’s promotes PROFESSIONAL obedience training that involves the whole family. NorCal Pit’s will help its members by setting up obedience socialization sessions. NorCal Pit’s is also involved in public education of the APBT as well as engaging in shared human-canine activities. The purpose of the club will be achieved with its member enrolling, currently enrolled or completed PROFESSIONAL obedience training in basic, moderate and advanced techniques, interaction of the APBT with the public which allows the APBT to demonstrate their well natured attitude, mild temperament toward humans and their ability to work as part of an human-canine team. At all club human-canine events, functions or gatherings human-canine team’s train, practice and work towards a standard of obedience perfection, rather than against each other. Section 4 NorCal Pit’s membership is on a Limited invitation only basis to owners of the AMERICAN PITBULL TERRIER, AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER and "PITBULL" type mixes. See NorCal Pit’s By-Laws for membership eligibility. Section 5 NorCal Pit’s is an independent club that will operate under the lawful regulations of the state, county and city it is in. Unless authorize by the President of NorCal Pit’s NO club member shall represent in any way that they are officials of, part of the Board of Directors, official representatives, or are acting on the behalf of NorCal Pit’s. Section 6 All NorCal Pit’s members MUST have their APBT vaccinated and licensed with the county it resides in. It is recommended that all members APBT have a microchip implant. Section 7 NorCal Pit’s 100% DOES NOT support spectating, auctioning, selling, leasing, vending, donating any dog for the purpose of or being involved in any way directly or indirectly with the fighting of any dog as an event, pastime or the use of any animal in the training of a dog for fighting. Section 8 In the event that NorCal Pit’s finds it necessary to amend its rules, by-law’s, regulations or requirements for club members, the club will adopt such changes with or without notice. Bylaws napisał(a): NorCal Pit’s: CLUB BY-LAWS Article I Membership Section 1: Eligibility (60 Membership slots ONLY!) The club shall be composed of members who: 1. Agree to the purposes of the club and are 18 years old or older or are intrusted by a legal Guardian to permit in club activities. 2. As a member of NorCal Pit’s you will be required to work on a committee or you will be required to work a minimum of 6 hours a month as a volunteer with a SPCA or Rescue shelter. 3. Must provide your dog with the best obedience training at all times. 4. Must show proof of county licensing. 5. NorCal Pit’s club membership is on a limited invitation only basis. In order to receive a membership invitation you must submit a Membership Invitation request (Provided the club is accepting members at that time). The club will not accept ANY dog with unprovoked aggression towards humans. Section 2: Membership Dues $40 PER YEAR per individual membership Section 3: Membership Dues Information Every member is required to pay annual membership dues. Club Dues are for the Calendar year. Club dues are due January 15th of every year and no later then January 30th. An individual’s first membership payment is for the Calendar year to which it is paid in. With these club due’s the individual will become an OFFICIAL member of NorCal Pit’s and will be entitled to certain benefits that are only offered to official club members. Such benefits are: 1 (one) club membership card, 1 (one) email address (yourname@norcalpits.com), access to the clubs PRIVATE forums, 2 (two) club stickers, monthly club newsletter (e-mailed), receive discounts from various pet stores and/or pet services and enter free or receive discounts to club sponsored events. NO member of the Board of Directors OR any member of a NorCal Pit’s committee will receive or accept any monitory or materialistic payment for work preformed for the club. Section 4: Donations NorCal Pit’s will except monitory donations for any amount or materialistic donations of any size (ie. dog food or supplies). All donations will go towards the Pitbull Rescue Fund and be presented to a Pitbull Rescue shelter or SPCA (animal shelter) once a year. Section 5: Termination of Membership As of January 30th of every year all memberships that have not been renewed will be removed from the club membership roster and all membership privileges will be revoked. Termination by Resignation: Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon emailed notification to the club secretary. No club dues will be refunded. Termination by Expulsion: A membership may be terminated as provided in Article IV and all membership privileges will be revoked. Section 6: Health All dogs WILL be kept in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. All members’ dogs must be vaccinations to provide maximum mental and physical well being. Section 7: Training All members MUST provided their dog/s with the BEST obedience training possible at all times at the members expense. All dogs should be provided with socialization (NorCal Pit’s will help). This training is to provide the dog with a sound temperament around strange humans and other animals as well. Article II Meetings Section 1: Board of Director Meetings. NorCal Pit's will hold a bi-monthly Board of Director meeting (February, April, June, August, October, and December). The purpose of the board meeting is to establish goals, plans, and events and to evaluate the progress of the projects in work. The Secretary will also be responsible for the mailing of the club newsletter (e-mailed) with the Board of Directors meeting minutes within 7 (seven) days after every Board of Directors meeting. Board of Director meetings are open to board members only. The club is responsible for making arrangements for these meetings which can be at a members home or a public meeting location. Any fees incurred are the total responsibility of the club with the exception of food and beverages. Section 2: Committee Member Meetings. The Board of Director for each committee will hold a monthly committee member meeting. The purpose of the committee member meetings is to appoint certain committee members to carry out the events and projects. Committee member meetings are open to every member in good standing with the club that are appointed to that committee. The Board of Director for each committee is responsible for making arrangements for these meetings which can be at a members home or a public meeting location. Any fees incurred are the total responsibility of the Board of Director for each committee with the exception of food and beverages. Section 3: Club Meetings. Once a year NorCal Pit’s will hold a Club meeting. This meeting is open to ALL members of NorCal Pit's in good standings with the club. The purpose of this meeting is to educate, inform and otherwise advance the causes of NorCal Pit’s. The club will also make every effort possible to have "Guest Speakers" at this meeting (Canine Search & Rescue, Animal Control, Animal behaviorist, Animal Trainers, SPCA enforcement, Political and Celebrity figures when possible, etc). The club is responsible for making arrangements for these meetings which can be at a members home or a public meeting location. Any fees incurred are the total responsibility of the club with the exception of food and beverages. Article III Board of Directors Section 1: Board of Director selection The Founder of NorCal Pit’s will appoint the club President. The Board of Directors for the club will be selected from fully paid members of the club and appointed by the President ONLY. All Board of Director positions in the club is on a purely volunteer basis (not paid). The club will have a maximum of 5 (five) members on the club Board of Directors (1 (one) officer, 1 (one) Secretary and 3 (three) members of the board). The club President will appoint 4 (four) club members to fill the positions of Secretary and 3 (three) members of the board. The term of office for the members on the Board of Directors will be indefinite and may only be terminated by the President. Each of the 3 (three) members of the board will be the head of certain committees. The President will also be the coordinator of SPCA and Rescue shelter volunteers. Section 2: Removal of a Board of Director. ONLY the Founder of NorCal Pit’s can remove the President from the presidency. The President may remove any member of the Board of Directors for any reason at any time with or without notice. Section 3: Committee Member Selection. Each committee is limited to 5 members. The Board of Director that is appointed as the head of each committee will select from fully paid members who is to be on that committee. Section 4: Removal of a Committee member. The President may remove any committee member from any committee for any reason at any time with or without notice. The Board of Director appointed as a director of a committee may remove any member of the committee that they are appointed over for any reason at any time with or without notice. Article IV Club Disciplinary Actions Section 1: General Club Expulsion A majority vote of the Board of Directors may choose a general club expulsion of a member from NorCal Pit’s for any reason. A member that receives a general expulsion from NorCal Pit’s will no longer be allowed at any club activity for a minimum of 1 (one) year and a maximum of 3 (three) years. All membership privileges will be revoked. Section 2: Permanent Expulsion Apon knowledge, the President may enact a permanent expulsion to any member knowingly permitting, spectating, selling, leasing, vending, donating any dog for the purpose of or being involved in any way directly or indirectly with the fighting of any dogs as an event, pastime, hobby vocation or the use of any animal in the training of a dog for fighting. Members that receive a permanent expulsion will be immediately and permanently expelled from NorCal Pit’s and turned in to the local authorities and will NEVER be allowed at any NorCal Pit’s club activities. All membership privileges will be revoked. Section 3: Club Suspension ANY member of the Board of Directors may suspend a membership. If a membership is suspended the board of directors will set a specific length of time for the suspension (30 days to 180 days). After a suspension length of time has been set the secretary will send an email to the suspended member detailing the suspension and length of time. While a member is on suspension they are not permitted to attend club activities. All membership privileges will be revoked. Article V Amending the By-Laws Section 1: Club By-laws cannot be changed at any time by anyone except the President. Members that believe a change is needed to the by-laws must submit a by-law request change to the club President. Any change to the by-laws may be changed and put into affect with or without notice. Article VI Pride in the Breed Section 1: Pride Take Great Pride in your dog’s breed and great care to make the breed one that the BSL can’t take from you! Always work towards Righting the WRONG'S that others have done! Section 2: Truth NEVER lie about what you dog is. So what do you think? Ya some parts may sound a like there are a lot of rules but I'm going to try my best to make sure that everyone in the club is a responsible owner and help the APBT get it's good name back. Were not looking for club members that just want to be "a part of a club", were looking for members that want to be "part of a club" (if that makes sense, lol). Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 2, 2003 Posted November 2, 2003 I'm not the least bit experienced with this type of thing, so any input from me is simply what I would think if I was considering applying to be a member... Section one, Bylaws: Must provide your dog with the best obedience training at all times. What is the "best" obedience training? Compulsion? Pure positive? Whatever works for the individual dog? You should probably either specify a club that you prefer members to take their dogs to, or detail the methods you like to see used, in place of the word "best". The club will not accept ANY dog with unprovoked aggression towards humans. Sounds good. But how about EXTREMELY dog aggressive dogs who either disrupt classes with their carrying on, or pose a threat to other peoples' dogs? It is something you may want to take into consideration. Do you allow them to stay in the club to benefit from others' knowledge and training abilities, or do you ban their dog to keep the activity more enjoyable for other members? [quote]All dogs WILL be kept in a clean, healthy, and safe environment. All members Quote
GIXXSTER Posted November 3, 2003 Author Posted November 3, 2003 gooey napisał(a): What is the "best" obedience training? What I mean by this is the best training you can afford or what you think is the best training. I paid $450 for my dog but others may not to be able to pay anything. So in a case like that training the dog at home even if you don't know what your doing is the "best" training. but with other member shairing what they are going through with their dogs you can pick up some tips. For suggesting different type of Trainers or training, the club is going to work with many trainers to give discounts for club members in return for advertizing on the web site. Sounds good. But how about EXTREMELY dog aggressive dogs who either disrupt classes with their carrying on, or pose a threat to other peoples' dogs? It is something you may want to take into consideration. Do you allow them to stay in the club to benefit from others' knowledge and training abilities, or do you ban their dog to keep the activity more enjoyable for other members? As you may know Pitbull type dogs are already, for the most part, dog aggressive. ALL the socalization session WILL be done under a controled situation. I'm working on haveing a socalization trainer work with the socalization committee on proper ways to conduct these classes. Granted if the dog is very aggressive, ya, they might have to take a few more steps away from other dogs. I would in no way ask or tell someone to leave if there dog were that way. This is also why we support PROFESSIONAL training. Professional trainers work with the dogs in private to get an obedience ground base before starting the dogs in classes. What does this entail.... is clean, healthy, and safe ONLY when a dog is kept as a house dog, with a securely fenced yard, or can it also apply to people who use well constructed chain/cable setups to confine their dogs when outside? If your a responsible owner you'll know if your keeping you dog safe, clean and healthy. And will people who choose not to vaccinate their dogs yearly -due to the increasing proof that yearly vaccs aren't necessary, and sometimes are even harmful- be automatically turned down because of that fact? My bad, I was thinking of removing all the vaccination crap. But from what I know you can't get your dog licensed if you don't. But I'm thinking of getting rid of the proof of licenseing anyways. Is this even for an owner with multiple dogs, two three, or more? Ya, the membership dues are for one individual. I don't care if you have 30 dogs. Granted though if you bring all 30 dogs to the socalization classes you'll only going to be able to handle one at a time anyway. You might want to add whether it does or does not include the posession of so called fighting paraphenelia, like breaking sticks, treadmills, springpoles, etc. Even if they have this stuff it doesn't mean they fight there dogs. That statment was added in to keep the dog fighters away. Ya there would have to be somepretty good proof of this. You may also want to add something in there about being a responsible owner, not letting the dog offleash in public, not putting their dogs in situations where the breed may be shown in a negative light (dog parks beign one "situation" that comes to mind), etc. Responsible owners already know this. Is this going to be a training club, or just a group for responsible owners to get together and try to preserve/defend the breed? Actually Both, plus more. There is committees for public education 2 committees for socalization session and a committee for member discounts. I'm thinking of making a committee for anit-BSL and school education as well. Thanx for the input. I'll have to add a few more things to help make it more clear. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 3, 2003 Posted November 3, 2003 Can I go ahead and put my English dgree to work here? :) First off, your group's name is "NorCal Pit's." "Pit's" is possessive, so you may want to change it to "NorCal Pits" if you simply mean a group of pits (not pit's) in Northern California. The purpose of the club will be achieved with its member enrolling, currently enrolled or completed PROFESSIONAL obedience training in basic, moderate and advanced techniques I'm not fully sure exactly what you're trying to say... something like "its members being enrolled in or having completed professional obedience training" maybe? It's just not as clear as it could be, is all. their ability to work as part of an human-canine team Unless you pronounce "human" as "you-man" (no H), then you should say "a human" instead of "an human." [quote]At all club human-canine events, functions or gatherings human-canine [b]team Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 3, 2003 Posted November 3, 2003 What I mean by this is the best training you can afford or what you think is the best training. I paid $450 for my dog but others may not to be able to pay anything. So in a case like that training the dog at home even if you don't know what your doing is the "best" training. but with other member shairing what they are going through with their dogs you can pick up some tips. I understand, but maybe a better way to put it would be to say something to the effect of: "agree to provide quality obedience training throughout my dog(s) life.... NorCal Pits recommends the use of X training method(s) for the APBT breed" and then list the trainers. As you may know Pitbull type dogs are already, for the most part, dog aggressive. ALL the socalization session WILL be done under a controled situation. I'm working on haveing a socalization trainer work with the socalization committee on proper ways to conduct these classes. Granted if the dog is very aggressive, ya, they might have to take a few more steps away from other dogs. I would in no way ask or tell someone to leave if there dog were that way. This is also why we support PROFESSIONAL training. Professional trainers work with the dogs in private to get an obedience ground base before starting the dogs in classes. Fine, but even in the most careful of situations, accidents can happen. I know that if I walked into a room full of APBTs with either of ours, they would be up on their toes, ready to fight with the first challenger. And if one dog is carrying on like an idiot, the others are probably going to pick up on it and act like idiots, too. To be honest, the whole idea of "socialization" classes for APBTs is a bit scary... I'm asuming you'll be allowing adult dogs as well, some of whom may be intact? The reason I've brought it up is simply because if you allow a highly dog aggressive dog to attend classes, and it somehow grabs someone elses dog, hurting or killing them, you can probably be held liable. And even the most careful of owners occasionally slip up, equipment can fail, dogs can get smarter/sneakier... a loose APBT in a room full of other APBTs could very well turn out to be a disaster, as I'm sure you know. If your a responsible owner you'll know if your keeping you dog safe, clean and healthy. Yes, but many people who keep dogs tied out all day long with no shelter think they're pretty responsible. And I think that in some situations, better to keep a dog outside on a secure cable (or chain) in a fenced yard than stuck inside the house in a crate all day. Even if they have this stuff it doesn't mean they fight there dogs. That statment was added in to keep the dog fighters away. Ya there would have to be somepretty good proof of this. Yes, that's why I referred to it as "so called" fighting paraphenelia, not as dog fighting paraphenelia. You may want to have some grounds though on what you base "evidence of fighting", "use of a dog as training for fighting", etc. For example, is the person whos two or three dogs get into a scrap and mark each other up going to be acosted by members for "fighting" their dogs? Responsible owners already know this. Yes, but what happens if one of your normally sensible members makes a mistake and lets say.... lets their dog run out to the car without a leash on one day, only the dog runs past and snags someone's little bundle of fluff, which starts a media feeding frenzy. They come to you, you say that it was a mistake on their part, not something the club condones, and they ponit out that there's nothing in your guidelines about it. They end up running the story anyway, using only what you said about APBTs being "naturally (dog) aggressive" (of course, they'd omit the "dog" part), and possibly pointing out that this person was a member of your club. Something like that could not only damage the credibility of your club, but also make all APBT owners look like the careless idiots... not good for anyone. That may seem (actually, it may BE) a little far fetched, but better to cover your *** than to have something happen and not have anything to back yourself (the club) up. It doesn't have to be some in depth thing, just a little blurb about how being responsible includes keeping your APBT out of situations where their propensity for dog aggression may surface and enforce the bad image of the breed. I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but you asked for input and that's what you're getting :wink: Quote
GIXXSTER Posted November 3, 2003 Author Posted November 3, 2003 In responce to both gooey and Guest: NP, the more nitpicky everyone is the better. I asked for input and I wanted input on what I may or may not have thought about. Everything though has been weighing on my mind. Somethings said here I've though about, others I haven't. But a hell of a lot of good input. I knew I came to the right place to ask. I did think about having elections for board members but I kept thinking about the now-former owner of a club that put thousands of dollars into getting the club off the ground and lost everthing 2 years later. Granted he wasn't the sharpist tool in the shed. Nothing has been set in stone and ya, the liabilities of a socalization sessions for JUST APBT has in fact made me a little worried. Hell just the liabilities of a club like this made me worried to the point that I've though many times about not making this club happin just for that reason alone. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted November 3, 2003 Posted November 3, 2003 image - why don't you start out with an informal thing like a monthly or bimonthly luncheon/dinner meeting/happy hour at a bar or whatever and maybe a web community and newsletter? see how people do, how things go, what develops. you can do a lot of the stuff you have planned without committing to a formal club. there is no real need to put a lot of money into something like that - when people are having fun, everything will fall into place and you can take it from there. get together a good group of people and start out as "norcalpits.com" (or even better .org if you are going for a non-profit organization, it's not a business after all) - you can make a good name for yourselves that way too and you are looking at a far less costly commitment. Quote
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